The idyllic island of Koh Phangan is mostly known as a backpacker destination and party capital with its full moon party, attracting thousands of travellers every month. This bohemian atmosphere is perfect for a young crowd but is also a good place for nature lovers and water sport enthusiast. The virgin beauty of the island with its powder-soft white sand, crystal clear water and tropical forest interior is second to none. They are also many beautiful bays that are so remote that are only accessible by boat, and a perfect place for eco-tourism.
Koh Phangan topics
- Introduction to Koh Phangan
- Koh Phangan interactive map
- About Koh Phangan
- Top places in Koh Phangan
- Photographs of Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan interactive map
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About Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is about two third of the size of the Koh Samui, the biggest island in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is about 168 sq km with the vast majority , over 70% of the land inhabited because of its mountainous terrain. It is said that the first permanent inhabitants where monks that felt in love with the peacefulness of the island some 600 years ago.
What was once a primary fishing and coconut island now became a more touristic paradise offering a multitude of resorts to choose from, with the majority located on the west and south coast.
West Coast
The west coast is covered with many small bays and sea view resorts, some even with their own private beach. The places further south are a backpacker heaven offering many low cost bungalows to choose from, an ideal place for snorkelling and close to the all the facilities of the capital.
South Coast
The south Coast is home to the capital Thongsala on one side and the world famous Haad Rin location of the full moon party on the other side. It is by far the most develop coast on the island packed with resorts for all budget and other facilities to choose from.
East Coast
The east coast is perhaps the most isolated area on the island, but in the same time offering some of the most idyllic beaches such as the twin bays of Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai or Than Sadet part of the only park of the island.
North Coast
The most important destination of the North Coast is Chaloklam Bay, the main fishing port of the island and the epicentre of the diving industry. West from this bay is the interesting Mae Haad Beach and the islet of Ko Ma accessible by foot during high tide. As for the northern west side it is the location of the famous and reclusive Bottle Beach, an idyllic beach only accessible by boat.
Top places in Koh Phangan
Top places in Koh Phangan from the capital clockwise:
- Thong Sala
- Ao Wok Tum
- Ao Hin Kong
- Ao Srithanu
- Ao Chao Phao
- Hat Yao
- Hat Salad
- Ao Mae Hat and Koh Ma
- Ao Chaloklum
- Ao Haad Khuat
- Ao Thong Nai Pan
- Hat Sadet
- Than Sadet National Park
- Hat Thian
- Hat Yuan
- Hat Rin and Full Moon Party
- Wat Khao Tham
- Phaeng Waterfalls
Thong Sala
Thong Sala is the capital and biggest city of the island. It is where all the main facilities are located including banks, hospitals and supermarket. It will be most likely your primary destination as it where the main pier is located.
Ao Wok Tum
Ao Wok Tum is an underdeveloped beach north of Thong Sala. It is the perfect place for snorkelling as it has shallow water and a beautiful coral reefs 300 meters off the coast.
Ao Hin Kong
Ao Hin Kong is a 3km stretch of sand right next to Ao Wok Tum beach. It is surrounded with mangroves and many low scales bungalows to choose from.
Ao Srithanu
Ao Srithanu is said to be one of the most beautiful beach on the island. This bay with impressive views also offers offshore coral reef.
Ao Chao Phao
Ao Chao Phao is a palm fringed long bay offering plenty of facilities to choose from including many bungalows, resorts, restaurants and bars.
Hat Yao
Hat Yao is located on the northern east coast and is one of the main beach resorts of the island. White sand and big resorts on each side of the bay with spectacular view make it a top destination in the area.
Hat Salad
Hat Salad is a small bay with lots of charms off the beaten track. It is said that the beach was once the location of pirates hidden treasures.
Ao Mae Hat
Ao Mae Hat fishing village is a beautiful isolated cove with links to the small island of Koh Ma. It has some good upscale resorts, coral reefs ideal for snorkelling and Wang Sai waterfalls nearby.
Ao Chaloklum
Ao Chaloklum is the biggest fishing village on the island, with a wonderful white sanded beach surrounded with long tail boats. It is also the boat departure point to the isolated “bottle beach”.
Ao Haad Khuat
Ao Haad Khuat, mostly known as “bottle beach” is an isolated piece of paradise on Koh Phangan. Indeed this idyllic spot is hard of access mainly because of its wooded flank 219 meters Khao Kin Non.
Ao Thong Nai Pan
Ao Thong Nai Pan is a lovely bay bordered by forest hill and is divided into two coves Noi & Yai.
Hat Sadet
Hat Sadet is a romantic and deserted place with a beach going straight down to the sea.
Than Sadet National Park
The Than Sadet National Park, which can literally be translated to a stream visited by royalty is a 25 square mile park packed with many amazing hidden waterfalls.
Hat Thian
Hat Thian is one of the most secluded but also the most idyllic place on the island with astonishing natural beauty including with aquamarine water, white sand and coconut trees. It is a perfect place to get away from the crowds.
Hat Yuan
Hat Yuan is small, quiet and laidback bay, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Hat Rin and Full Moon Party
Hat Rin is located on the southern east tip and is home to the famous Full Moon Party every month. There are 2 main beaches Hat Rin Nok and Hat Rin Nai or perhaps better know by their other name Sunrise and Sunset beach. Those beaches are one of the most beautiful on the island, and the city itself offers plenty of entertainment.
Wat Khao Tham
Wat Khao Tham is a meditation centre located in the south centre of the island. It is a perfect place to get away from the crowds and look for more spiritual destinations.
Phaeng Waterfalls
The Phaeng Waterfalls are located in the south centre of the island and are the most important falls on the island.
Photographs of Koh Phangan
